Wedding Planning Insight

10 Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer

2013-02-20T15:16:00.001-08:00

Sharing your wedding day with the people you love is what makes the day that much more special! This connection with your guests shouldn't stop with your friends and family, but should cross over to your vendors as well.

www.blovedweddings.com

It is so important to hirer professionals for your wedding and their experience in the business is what will ensure that your day is everything you dreamed of and more. However, it is even more important that you find a real connect with these vendors as well. In addition to spending this momentous day with your loved ones, you will also be sharing a lot of it with your vendors; specifically your coordinator and photographer. When hiring these professionals think about not only what your are looking for from a professional service standpoint, but also form a personality standpoint. At the end of the day, your personal connection with your vendors is what will make your wedding day experience that much more enjoyable!

Here a few questions to ask yourself when you are meeting with photographers and coordinators for the first time...

Are they experienced in the business?
Do they understand my vision?
Do they offer services I am looking for?
What parts of the day will they be involved in?
Does their style or rang of styles compliment my vision?
Do they listen to what I say? Do they listen to my ideas and offer suggestions or are they pushing their own ideas?
Do I feel that can express what I would like for my wedding day to them?
Do I feel comfortable around them?
Would I refer them to friends and family?
Most importantly, could I see myself being friends with this person?

Wedding Planner, Wedding Designer, Event Coordinator, Venue Coordinator - What is the Difference?

2013-01-09T17:51:00.002-08:00

With today's information overload, sometimes the lingo of the wedding world can seem a little confusing and overwhelming. Planner, coordinator, designer - it's all the same right? Actually no...there are many differences between the types of wedding assistance you can receive. Below is a basic breakdown of how we classify each of the different types of wedding planning professionals...

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Wedding Planner:
From vendor referrals to timeline management, a wedding planner is the perfect tool in assisting you from "Will You Marry Me?" to "I Do!" A wedding planner is an experienced event professional who can confidently guide you through the entire wedding planning process. Their expertise is your navigator through the complex world of all things wedding! Although planners have a variety of service offerings, typically their services include: budget management, vendor referrals, venue selection, to-do check lists & confirmations, vendor meeting attendance, design assistance, creation of a detailed day-of timeline as well as wedding day coordination & management. Since a planner is seen as someone who can "do-it-all", a common misconception is that they will "take-over" your wedding and control your creative freedom....quite the opposite! A planner is there to foster your creativity, inspire you with new idea's, share wisdom's from their experience and most importantly ensure all of your vendors understand and compliment your vision!

Wedding Coordinator: (a.k.a. Event Coordinator, Day-of Coordinator, Independent Coordinator)
Although many use the words coordinator & planner interchangeably, for most, their roles are quite different. A planner is typically involved in the planning process early on, where as a coordinator comes into the picture further down the road. Often they start assisting a month or two before the big day. Their services typically included: gathering key information about your wedding, finalizing details, contacting and confirming your vendors contract obligations, establishing a wedding day timeline and most importantly facilitating & ensuring a smooth and stress free wedding day! All in all, a coordinators key role is to tie-up loose ends, bring all of your plans/details together and manage the day-of your event. So as you can see, a wedding planner is typically also a wedding coordinator, however, a wedding coordinator is not always a wedding planner.

Venue Coordinator: (a.k.a. On-site Coordinator, Facility Manager, Banquet Manager)
A venue coordinator is typically an appointed contact by the venue to assist and answer any questions you may have about the venue itself or its affiliates. Their services often include: providing a vendor referral list of vendors they have worked with in the past, creating a timeline for the wedding day in regards to the venues roles & responsibilities, assisting with the catering timeline (if caterer is correlated with the venue) and assisting with the rehearsal & ceremony process (if ceremony is held at the same venue). Although venue coordinators are a great resource to have, there are a few misconceptions when it comes to the actual roles of venue coordinators. Many anticipate that a venue coordinator is more like a wedding planner or independent coordinator, where-in they will assist you in all planning aspects. Although some do assist with all aspects, most venues have a somewhat strict guideline of what they can assist you with. Some of their limitations include: they usually only have set list of vendors they can recommend, they can only assist with details that pertain the the venue itself, they can not assist you with your ceremony if it is held at a different venue, typically they will have one person assisting you with the planning and another person there the day-of the event and typically they are not present for the duration of the event. However, they are an expert about their venue and are a great resource to have. Having both a independent planner/coordinator with a venue coordinator is great way to ensure nothing is forgotten or left out!

Wedding Designer:
A wedding designer is your creativity muse. Their role is to ultimately design the look and feel of your wedding. From color swatches to theme creation, their job is to draw out your vision and make it a reality. Their responsibility is mainly focused on the design element of your wedding rather than the planning or coordinating aspects. However, many planners and coordination also incorporate design elements in their packages.

At the end of the day a planner or coordinator is there to make your wedding dreams come true! Why spend 12 months planning and creating your dream wedding only to have the day-of left to chance?

8 Tips for Wedding Reception Seating

2012-11-30T13:28:00.002-08:00

Just like any formal dinning situation, formulating the perfect seating arrangement at your wedding can be quite tricky. Whether you have table assignments or specific seating arrangements, here a few tips to think about when designing your seating lay out...

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Even if you (the bride & groom) do not have your own table, make sure you are centrally located so everyone can see you throughout the reception.
If you have elderly guest make sure they are seated far from the speakers, but close enough to still see all of the main events.
Place tables in groups with other table where guests know each other. This will promote cross table mingling.
Will you be having a buffet service? Allow for elderly guest to see near the buffet stations so they do not have walk as far through a maze of guests.
Make sure each guest knows at least one other guest at their table. (Just because you have a group of single friends, it does not mean they are all social and you don't want anyone feeling left out)
Allow for enough access on and off the dance floor. (Give a little more room between tables that are located on the perimeter of the dance floor)
Will you be using escort cards? Make sure the cards are neatly arranged in alphabetical order so it easier for your guests to find their name.
Will you be using place cards? Make sure you have a clearly marked chart or map at the entrance of your reception so guest can find their table quickly.

Hope these few tips help you with your table arrangments!

Weddings - So Much to Be Thankful For

2012-11-19T15:53:00.000-08:00

What a better time than Thanksgiving week to sit down and think about what we are really thankful for!

During the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season, sometimes what we are truly thankful for can seem to get lost amidst the frantic store wide sales, cookie decorating madness and holiday party obligations. It is during this crazed time that even the smallest act of kindness or show of thanks can really make the difference in someones life!

Wedding planning can often seem like you are in the "Holiday Season" 24/7. Sometimes amidst all the planning, store searching, web browsing, party obligations, gift giving and receiving we can loose touch of the big picture.

Here are a few ideas to show some of your love and appreciation to those who matter most!

Write love letters to your bride or groom throughout the engagement process. Share all the things you love about them, funny memories about the process, excitements, dreams and most importantly why you are so thankful to have him or her by your side!

www.weddingdaypin.com

Sometimes you need a little boost just because. This cute little DIY frame is a great way to let your spouse know that you noticed when they did something sweet. Just use a white board marker to fill in the blank and place the frame somewhere noticeable (i.e. next to where you put your car keys). It will be sure to brighten his or her day!

www.acontenthousewife.com

Don't forget about the Dads! This heartfelt handkerchief is a great way to show thanks to your dad for all of his love and support!

www.everything-pretty.com

New Spin on the Wedding Guest Book

2012-11-01T16:57:00.000-07:00

Many of today's couple are all about mixing the old with the new! In other words they love the idea of the long time wedding traditions, but like to add their own spin on them. Take the traditional guest book for example. What was once a way to acknowledge and respect the bride & grooms transition into marriage is now more of a fun way to interact, enjoy and reflect such a momentous day!

Couples today are all about getting their guest involved, and what better way than to start off your reception with a fun and interactive guest book! Below are a few ideas to get the creativity flowing...

1) Love to play games? Try the Jenga guest book. You will be sure to have some good laughs and fond memories as you play this game as newlyweds!

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2) The thumbprint wedding tree is a great way for your guests to leave their mark on your special day!

www.occasionsonline.com

3) Are you a musical couple? Think about your guest signing your favorite instrument... you will be sure to become the "rock stars" of your own wedding!

www.inspirbyheart.com

4) Finally, always a favorite is the photo booth guest book. Stir things up even more by adding props or chalk boards where guests can write messages to the bride and groom in the photo!

www.weddingpartyguest.com

Wedding Day Time Capsule

2012-07-25T17:48:00.001-07:00

With all the buzz and mountains of details surrounding the actually wedding day, post-wedding mementos tend to be forgotten or left until it's too late. Your wedding memories are not something to just be cherished for one day, but rather for a lifetime!

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Although your wedding photos will serve as a great memoir for you wedding day, sometimes it's those little extra tidbits that can truly spark a great memory! A Wedding Day Time Capsule is a great way to capture all those special little moments. Some capsules like the one above, can be ordered with preset items to assist you in gathering your mementos. However, below are a few more ideas we wanted to share with you...

Newspaper clippings from the day of your wedding
Love letters to each other written just days before the wedding (no peeking!)
A picture of your first kiss as husband and wife
Fabric swatches from your bridesmaids dress and table linens
Dried flowers from your centerpieces or boutonnieres
Photos your guests took of the wedding day or from your photo booth
Little trinkets to signify funny memories ( i.e. a safety pin with a note tied to it explaining how a button popped off the back of your dress right before you were about to walk down the aisle. Luckily your Maid of Honor stepped in with a safety pin laughing and saying "I've always got your back" while pinning you back together.)
Words of wisdom from your quests (Have each guest fill out a note card with marriage advice. See how their advice helped when you read them again years later)
Each write out a timeline of where you think you will be and what you would like to do in 5, 10, 25, 50 years from now...see how far you have come along!
A sample of the perfume/colonge you each wore
A trinket from your wedding night

After you fill your capsule, seal it up and then open it again on every milestone anniversary (1st, 5th, 10th, 25th, 50th...) Not only will it be fun to revisit old "scrapbook" type memories, but it will also be exciting to see how your thoughts of the future compair with the realities of today!

**Think about enjoying your "unveiling" with a bottle of your favorite wine or with the wine you drank on your wedding day!

5 Things Many Brides Forget

2012-05-31T13:37:00.001-07:00

It's hard to imagine with all the planning you are doing and with all the tools available to brides, form bridal 101 books to planning binders to organizational websites, that you might have left something out. But from our experience, even with all these tools and guidance at least one of the do-to's slips off the list. As planners we try to make sure that you have thought of everything and below are a few reminders we share with our brides of items that tend to be forgotten.

Final Confirmations/Timelines for Vendors - Many professionals have their own system that works best for their type of service when it comes to organization information for your wedding. If you do not have a day-of coordinator or point person for the day-of your wedding, some of the details can be slightly different for one vendor to the next. It is important that you confirm times and locations with all of you vendors at least a week out to make sure everyone is on the same page. Or create a master timeline for all of your vendors to follow. Your bridal party will also have a busy schedule that day, with hair, make-up, pictures, toasts etc...make sure you give them a break down of the day as well so they are not overwhelmed and know where to be when.
Bringing the Legal Documents - This is one of the most important aspects of you wedding day; after all it is the signing of the marriage certificate that legalizes the entire marriage. Make sure to apply for you Notice of Intended Marriage at least one month and one day before your actual wedding day. Also don't for get to bring multiple copies of the marriage certificate to sign after your ceremony!
Bringing Your Overnight Bag - Many couple get so excited with the wedding itself and the honeymoon after that they forget about planning for the night in between. Often you can check in early to your overnight suite and have a friend drop off these items before hand. If not, designate someone to to hold onto your bags or drop them off later.
Know Who Takes What - After you have celebrated at your reception, said your final good-byes and are whisked off to your honeymoon suite, there are still many items that need to be collected or taken care of. These items include gifts, left over favors, centerpieces, toasting flutes, cake serving wear, cake stand, flowers, guestbook..etc. Of course after a long day of fun, clean up is the last thing you want to think of. If you do not have a planner/coordinator to collect these items for you, make sure you designate a few people before hand to collect these items. With a team of helpers, they should have things gathered in no time!
Picture Time - Your wedding photos will become one of the most cherished mementos from you wedding and often times you only have one moment to capture that perfect picture. It is important that you really outline with your photographer what photos you want and with whom. Remember, unless you tell your photographer, they probably don't know who aunt Sally is or that she flew over 3,000 miles to be in this once in a lifetime family photo. Make sure your photographer has a complete list of who you want in each photo. Also, tell your family and friends that you would like to be in your photo's were they need to be and at what time. You don't want to spend have of your time looking for wandering family members.

Something Blue...

2012-03-30T12:32:00.000-07:00

Something old, something new, somethings borrowed..something blue?

This famous tradition has been passed down for generations, wishing new brides everywhere a bright future with continuity, optimism, happiness, purity and love. These four "somethings" or objects are added to a brides wedding outfit , usually right before she walks down the aisle, as good luck charms for her big day! These tokens of love are often giving to the bride by family, friends or her attendants. Often times the first three objects tend to have been planned for years or are a little easier to come up with, were as being creative with the "something blue" often stumps many. Of course there are always the more traditional "something blue" items, such as her toss garter, wedding jewels, hair accessories, lingerie, gloves or her mothers handkerchief. However, if you wish to do something a little outside the norm we have listed a few more idea's below:

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Let's start with shoes! Often times a brides shoes are hidden beneath yards of fabric from her beautiful gown, which allows a perfect opportunity to hide that "something blue." (The reveal can often lead to a great photo op!) Of course, the shoes themselves can be blue, or to be a little more discreet, you can paint the soles of the shoes blue. Want your attends to share a part in your "something blue"? Ask each of them to sign their name or their words of wisdom on the bottom of your shoes in blue sharpie. You can also mark the bottom your shoes with lettering out of blue rhinestones, stickers, glitter...etc. On each shoe place one word such as " I do", "Mr. & Mrs.", "I'm Yours" or even your wedding date. Later that evening when your dancing the night away and kicking up your heels, a glimpse of your something blue will be there for all to see!

Another secret spot for your "something blue" is the inside hem of your wedding dress. Here you can stitch your names or wedding date in blue thread. Not only is this a cute addition to the day of your wedding , but it is a great memento should you wish to pass on your wedding dress to future generations!

Reception Seating - Place Card & Escort Card Ideas

2012-03-12T16:12:00.000-07:00

When it comes to seating guests at your wedding reception, you have multiple options. From open seating, to escort cards, to seating charts, to place cards…it all depends on your personal taste and the formality of your event. What is the difference you ask? You are not the only one. Often times we have brides asking... "What is the difference is between place cards and escort cards?" or "What is the difference between escort cards and seating charts?" To best explain the differences between your seating options, let’s start at the dinning tables and work our way outward….

A place card is a card (or other name indicator) that is placed at every seat at each dining table prior to the start of an event, specifying the exact seat at which a guest should sit. An escort card is located at a separate location (usually on a table at the entrance of the dining area). Each card displays a guests name (usually in alphabetical order) along with the specific table they should sit at. Now for those who wish to forgo the whole card idea, but still wish to indicate where your guest sit, a seating cart could be a good option for you. A seating chart is a list chart or diagram layout of you dinning area, which lists all the quests’ names and their assigned tables. Although all of these options allow for theme great ideas, formal assigned seating is not a must. If you are looking for a more casual feel, open seating is perfect for you. Open seating allows for guest to sit at any seat at any table.

We have including some theme ideas below if you are looking to add a little pizzazz to your reception and love the place card or escort card concept.

Quite 'Charm'ing

Great for a wine theme or vineyard setting. Attach escort cards to wine charms or use a cork as a place/escort card holder.

www.stylemepretty.com

“Please Be Seeded”

Great for a garden theme or love for plants. Take a planter box (or similar looking tray) and fill decorative moss. Then place each card on top of the moss with a sign that reads “Please Be Seeded.” Or use small orange planters pots with prepackaged seedlings and create plant name tags/sticks with your guests name. (Double as a favor!)

Book Worm

Great for book lovers. Set up a row of old books on a table then create bookmark escort cards and place one in each book in alphabetical order.

www.weddingwire.com

Antique

Great for vintage theme. Re-purpose an old pair of shutters and hang cards on the slats. Or find a large antique picture frame and attach rows of string across the back of the frame. Then hang or pin your cards to the string.

Country Chic

Great for country or rustic theme. Tie some decorative ribbon around some hay bales and attach the cards to the ribbon. Or hang up a laundry line between two trees clothes pinned the cards to the line.

www.theknot.com

Fruit

Great if you want to add more color to your tables. Try writing your guests names on fruit (i.e. apples). This could also be a cute idea if the bride or groom is a teacher!

Great Guest Giveaways!

2012-02-23T11:30:00.000-08:00

Do you already have your wedding favors, but would like to do a little extra something for your guests? Or....Are you looking for your favors to be something your guests can actually use the day of your wedding?

As we all know, every wedding is unique, and sometimes it’s these unique details that call for a little extra flare! From warm beach weddings to wine themed soirées, there are many ways to make your guests feel truly welcome on your special day. Check out the guest giveaway ideas below for some inspiration!

Compliments of theknot.com Compliments of beau-coup.com

Pashmina’s - For Cool Outdoor Weddings

· If you would like to hold your ceremony, cocktail hour or reception outside, but are worried about possible cool weather, provide a basket of pashmina’s as your guests arrive. You can provide a variety of colors for your guest to choose form. Or you can create a unique effect by providing them in colors that match your wedding color scheme. Watch to see how even your guests add to your overall wedding look!

Flip-flops – For Beach Weddings or Dancing the Night Away

· Having a beach wedding ceremony, but worried about your guests wanting to wear shoes that aren’t exactly beach ready? Provide a basket of flip-flops at the entrance of your ceremony (in a variety of sizes) for your guest to wear. Or…Want your guests to feel comfortable and spend night dancing away, but know your venue has a strict “must wear shoes at all times” policy? This is another great opportunity to supply a variety of flip-flops for your guests. Your guests and their happy feet will be sure to thank you later!

Fans - For Hot Outdoor Ceremony’s (Can Double as a Program!)

· Having your wedding outdoors in the peak of the summer? Place a fan on everyone’s seat to help them cool off throughout the day. Want a two-for-one steal? Use printable paper fans and include your wedding day program on the back of each fan.

Parasols’ - For Outdoor Cocktail Hour

· Allow your guest to be shaded from the hot sun by providing parasol’s for your cocktail hour. Add a special touch by inscribing your monogram on each parasol. (Perfect for vintage style weddings!)

Personalized Wine Glasses – (Can Double as a Favor!)

· Personalize wine glasses with your name, wedding date or monogram and provide them to your guests during cocktail hour or at each table during your reception. At the end of the night your guests can take them home as a favor. (Great for wine themed weddings)

Wine Charms

· Providing a variety of wine glass charms to your guest so they can keep track of their glass throughout the evening, is a fun personal touch and a great way to save on paying for a multitude of extra glassware!

Bathroom Amenities Baskets – Thoughtful and Classy

2012-02-09T17:14:00.000-08:00

In our last blog post, we shared how sometimes it's the littlest details that can give the biggest impact and truly make a wedding unique. A bathroom amenities basket for your guests is one of those little touches that will surely be noticed! This thoughtful and classy gesture will truly come in handy for those “I wish I had brought….” moments. By the end of the night you will find that your baskets went to good use and were greatly appreciated by your guests!

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Below is a list of a few items to think about including in your baskets. Although some of the items repeat, there are two separate lists for the Lady’s Room and Men’s Room.

Already have your bathroom amenities baskets planned out?

Check out our bonus items to see if we found something you may not have thought of!

Lady’s Room:

~ Mints ~ Hair Elastics

~ Hairspray ~ Bobby Pins

~ Tissue ~ Tide-to-Go Stick

~ Spritzer/Perfume ~ Lint Roller

~ Mouthwash ~ Q-tips

~ Dental Floss ~ Clear Nail Polish

~ Hand Lotion ~ Mini Sewing Kit

~ Feminine Products ~ Scissors

~ Blotting Sheets ~ Tums

~ Band Aides ~ Imodium

~ Moleskin ~ Eye Drops

~ Safety Pins ~ Advil or Ibuprofen

Something you may not have thought of: Earring backs & Double Sided Tape

Men’s Room:

~ Mints ~ Lint roller

~ Hair Gel ~ Safety Pins

~ Tissue ~ Mini Sewing Kit

~ Cologne ~ Scissors

~ Mouthwash ~ Tums

~ Dental Floss ~ Imodium

~ Hand Lotion ~ Eye Drops

~ Band Aides ~ Advil or Ibuprofen

~ Tide-to-Go stick

Something you may not have thought of: Instant Hem & Cuff Fabric Tape

Want to add an extra “little touch”?

Included a framed engagement photo, poem or note next to each basket addressed to your guests. Below are a couple of more well know poem examples.

So happy you’re here sharing our special day
But just in case something should go astray:

Please help yourself to the contents within
Mouthwash, hand lotion or ibuprofen

Use what you need, and just leave the rest
For it may be useful to some other guest!

Repair the damage that may have been done,
Then quick! Hurry back and join in the fun!

~ Compliments of the Bride & Groom ~

Dear Guests,
Whether your skin feels dry or your hair out of place
You're not feeling so fresh or whatever the case
We've put together a basket to help you along
Now hurry back out before you miss the next song!

~ Compliments of the Bride & Groom ~

Creative Wedding Table Names

2012-01-31T17:01:00.000-08:00

Sometimes it’s the littlest touches that make a wedding truly unique to the couple getting married. Creative wedding table numbers or names are a great way to add a unique flare to your wedding and are usually not that difficult to incorporate. Below are a few ideas to get you started:

Locations: Think of places the two of you have traveled to together or would like to travel to. Then list each table as the names of theses locations, as a picture of these locations or as a picture of the two of you in these locations
Engagement photos: Add a different engagement photo to each table number
Hobbies you have together: For example if you both like to garden, name each table a different flower or herb
Music: List of your favorite songs or artists
Tie into your theme: For example if you are getting married at a vineyard, name each table a different type of wine or make custom wine bottle labels
Multilingual Couple?: Write “I Love You” in different languages
Your Story: For example if you met in college include names of halls, buildings or locations either tied to that school or special to how you met
Q&A: Label each table with a statement to resemble a question (i.e. First Memory). Then on the table include a picture of each of you. Below each picture state the full question (i.e. What is your first memory of _____?) and then your separate answers. (Give your answers to a third party to make it a surprise for the both of you as well!)

These are just a few of many ideas to give your wedding a more personal touch. You can even take the creativity one step further by adding some DIY crafting to the display of your table names. From picture frames to bedazzling the options are endless!

Bridal Fair 101

2012-01-12T17:45:00.000-08:00

The hustle and bustle of the New Year is here and it’s time to set our calendars for the year ahead. If you are planning an upcoming wedding, this could mean fitting in Bridal Fairs into your already busy schedule. Often times these fairs can be very overwhelming with a wide variety of information, special offers & new ideas being thrown at you all at once. Below are a few tips we have found useful to help simplify the process and maximize your bridal fair experience!

Bridal Fair Tips:

1. Try to Attended at Least Two Bridal Fairs:

Be sure to attend at least one bridal or wedding fair close to your wedding location to help you find great vendors that work in your area. It’s also a good idea to attend a second fair in a nearby big city to see new trends, specialty ideas and of course to enjoy the celebrity status feel!

2. Bring Contact Information Stickers:

Many vendors offer great show specials and raffle drawings at their booths that are usually only obtainable at the show itself. In order to enter these drawings you are often required to enter some basic contact information, which can be very time consuming. To help streamline this process brings a few sheets of address label stickers with your name, phone number, email* and wedding date. This way you can simply stick on your sticker to their information card and you are ready to go!

*Additional Tip: Create a new email account just for your wedding. This will help you keep everything organized in one area and avoid filling your personal/work email with wedding details.

3. Attend the Fashion Shows:

Even if you already have your attire set, fashion shows are a great way to get inspiration for other aspects of your wedding (i.e. floral designs from the bouquets they are carrying, color palettes from the bridesmaids dresses, accessories, hair designs…etc).

4. Visit Every Booth:

Take the time to visit every booth for at least 30 seconds, even if you already have booked the service they are offering. They may have new ideas you have not thought of and great give–aways that you can benefit from! Keep in mind what booths stand out to you most. Then after you have “scouted everything out”, return to the booths you were most interested in to ask additional questions and gather more information.

5. Bring a BIG Bag:

Whether it’s pamphlets, cards, samples, favors or prizes, at the end of the day you will have received a mountain of material from all the different vendors. Bring a large bag with at least TWO pockets to help carry and sort everything. Use one side as the “everything” pocket and the other as the “very interested in” pocket. (If you have three pockets you can use them for “everything, maybe, and must have!”). This process will really help when you are sorting through everything later trying to remember what is what.

6. Ask Vendors About Other Vendors:

If you are hesitant about using a certain service or vendor (i.e. you are not sure if you want use a wedding planner), ask some of the other vendors at the fair what they think. They work with these professionals every day and know first hand the qualities they can bring to your wedding.

7. Mark Your Calendar!

Most vendors welcome arranging a time to meet outside of the hustle of the show atmosphere. These are usually no-obligation consultations and can often lead to additional discounts on their services. Bring your calendars so you set these meetings and benefit from these specials.

Time to Budget for your Wedding – Who Pays for What?

2011-12-20T16:36:00.000-08:00

With the New Year quickly approaching it’s time to start thinking about goals for the year. If you are recently engaged, that could mean budgeting for your upcoming big day!

Traditional wedding customs tell us that the bride’s family is financially responsible for the majority of the wedding. Leaving the groom and his family with the rehearsal dinner, bride’s rings, honeymoon and a few other small odds & ends. However, in today’s society these etiquette traditions are seen more as guidelines than rules. Often with couples being more fanatical stable at the time of marriage they end up paying for a lot of the wedding themselves. Another popular option is to have the wedding cost to split into thirds between the bride’s family, groom’s family and the couple. Whatever you decide, it’s good to remember that every wedding is unique and should reflect the best options for everyone involved.

Below is the Traditional Breakdown of Expenses for your reference:

Bride’s Family Pays For:

· Engagement Party (optional)

· Wedding Invitations & Other Stationary (announcements, thank you’s, programs)

· Wedding Gown & Accessories

· Wedding Coordinator

· Décor Flower’s for Ceremony & Reception

· Bridesmaids Bouquets

· Music (Ceremony & Reception)

· Photography

· Videography

· Venue Fee’s (Ceremony & Reception)

· Catering

· Additional Décor

· Additional Specialty Vendors

· Favors

· Bridal Party Transportation to Ceremony & Reception

· Bridesmaids Accommodations

· Their Own Wedding Attire

Groom’s Family Pays for:

· Engagement Party (optional)

· Marriage License

· Officiant’s Fee

· Rehearsal Dinner

· Personal Flowers: the bride’s bouquet, boutonnieres for wedding party & fathers, corsages for mother’s & grandmothers

· Their Own Wedding Attire

· Honeymoon - Including Travel (in conjunction with groom)

Bride Pays for:

· Groom’s Ring

· Bridesmaids Luncheon

· Gifts for Bridesmaids

· Wedding-Day gift for the Groom

· Gift for her Parents

Groom Pays for:

· The Bride’s Engagement Ring and Wedding Band

· His Formalwear

· Groomsmen Accommodations

· Gifts for Groomsmen

· Wedding-Day gift for the Bride

· Gift for his Parents

· Honeymoon - Including Travel (in conjunction with groom’s family)

Attendant’s Pay for:

· Bachelor & Bachelorette parties

· Bridal Shower (Bridesmaids pay for)

· Gifts for Bride & Groom

· Wedding Attire and Accessories

· Transportation to and from Wedding Town

Buffet or Plated Service- My Only Catering Options?

2011-12-13T16:32:00.000-08:00

Are you tired of the traditional buffet or plated service catering options for your wedding reception? To add little wow factor and entertainment for your guests, consider Food Stations. This can be a fun way to keep the mood of your wedding very social. Depending on space and price conditions, set up 5 to 10 Chef-attended stations around the room. Each station can feature a different type of cuisine or different variation of one type of cuisine. Every station should include guest interaction and a unique presentation to ensure that overall wow factor for your wedding reception! You want to encourage people to move around the room so they can taste each of the delicious cuisines, so make sure you make it easy for them to do so.

Do you like buffet and plated service, but know with your time and/or space constraints, you need to consider other catering options? If this is the case, Family Style Service may be a better fit for you. Family Style catering serves your meal on platters to each table and guests are then encouraged to serve themselves. Much like the name implies, this style of catering allows your guests to become more intimate as they gather around their meal much like a Thanksgiving feast with family.

The Four C’s – Outside your Diamond Selection

2011-11-17T12:55:00.000-08:00

We are not talking cut, color, clarity and carat, but rather another set of “C’s” that relate to your overall wedding experience; compromise, consideration, communication, and celebration!

Marriage is a momentous and joyous transformation in a couple’s life. Often times, how a couple works together on their wedding plans can forecast how they will approach other major decisions they will come across in their life together.

Weddings are a beautiful and exciting event, but just like marriage, planning wedding can also be a lot of work. Just remember at the end of the day, your wedding is about you and the one you love coming together! The four “C’s” are a great guide to helping you master the wedding planning process.

1. Compromise: This is an important day for many people. It is always a nice gesture to make sure everyone feels included in some way.

2. Consideration: Try to take into consideration the thoughts, feelings and emotions of others during this sometimes-stressful process.

3. Communication: Try to be very specific about your thoughts and expectations. As they say, communication is key to a great marriage…so get your practice in early!

4. Celebration: Sometimes you can be caught in all the little details of your wedding. Just remember, at the end of the day you are there to celebrate one of the most joyous milestones in your lives!

Wedding Planning Tips - How to Make The Most of Your Wedding Photography

2011-09-20T16:41:00.000-07:00

Once you hire a professional photographer for your wedding, you already know you are in great hands, but here a a few things to think about to help learn about the process and make their job easier!

First, make a list of who you want in your photo's and in what location. Make sure you include their full name and title. [ For example: Location - At Golf Course 18th Hole People - Brides family including Mary Jones (Mother of the Bride), John Jones (Father of the Bide)...etc.] By having this list you will help streamline the photography process by knowing who you need when and where.

Second, make sure you realize your photographer is not your time-keeper. They are there to capture every moment perfectly, and make sure that you wedding photo's are as beautiful as ever! In order to help your photography stay on track while still allowing him or her do what they do best, have a Wedding Planner or friend close by who is very familiar with your timeline and knows what your time limit is. Also keeping your list handy can help prepare the next group being photographed and move along the process.

Finally, many brides and grooms enjoy taking photo's with all their guests at each table. If this is something you are also considering, try to allot at least an extra 30 minutes for this photo session. Often times, when visiting each table everyone wants to say hello and congratulate you, which usually takes more time than expected.